South Carolina Endorsements

All but one member of South Carolina's congressional delegation are Republicans (the lone Democrat is Rep. Clyburn) and all statewide elected officials are Republicans; there are 27 Republican state Senators and 76 Republican state Representatives.  Neither of the U.S. Senators endorsed; Congressman Joe Wilson (CD-2) backed Pawlenty until he withdrew; Congressman Mick Mulvaney (CD-5) endorsed and actively campaigned for Perry.  Sen. DeMint helped organize The Palmetto Freedom Forum on Sept. 5, but by early November he indicated it was extremely unlikely he would make an endorsement, and he held to that.  Similarly Rep. Scott held "First in the South" town halls with Santorum, Gingrich, Romney and Paul, but ended up not making an endorsement.  Gov. Nikki Haley's endorsement was key for Romney; Treasurer Curtis Loftis chaired Romney's campaign.  Democracy in Action found announcements of 12 of 27 state Senators and 46 of 76 state Representatives during the course of the campaign.


 updated January 24, 2012              
Federal and Statewide Elected Republicans
Sen. Lindsey Graham (elected 2002)
Sen. Jim DeMint (elected 2004)
CD-1 Rep. Tim Scott (coast from NC border to Charleston County, elected 2010)
CD-2 Rep. Joe Wilson (Columbia to Beaufort and Hilton Head Island, elected in 2001)PAWLENTY (announced 06/09/11)
CD-3 Rep. Jeff Duncan (southwest, elected 2010)
CD-4 Rep. Trey Gowdy (Greenville-Spartanburg, elected 2010)
CD-5 Rep. Mick Mulvaney (northern SC, elected 2010)PERRY (announced 09/05/11)

Gov. Nikki HaleyROMNEY (announced 12/16/11)
Lt. Gov. Ken Ard
Adjutant General Major Gen. Robert E. Livingston, Jr.PERRY (announced as part of Veterans for Perry on 12/08/11)
Attorney General Alan WilsonHUNTSMAN (announced 08/29/11)
Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh WeathersPERRY (announced 09/26/11)GINGRICH (announced 01/20/12)
Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom
Secretary of State Mark Hammond
State Treasurer Curtis M. Loftis, Jr.ROMNEY (announced 09/05/11)
Superintendent of Education Mick Zais

Senate Republicans (27) +
Name Occupation
Senator Since
District - City/Town
Counties


Thomas C. Alexander
Businessman/Owner, Alexander's Office Supply
Oct. 1994
1 - Walhalla
Oconee, Pickens


Lee Bright
Transportation
2009
12 - Roebuck
Spartanburg
BACHMANN (annc'd 11/15/11)
PAUL (annc'd 01/17/12)
+

+
Kevin L. Bryant
Pharmacist
2005
3 - Anderson
Anderson
PAUL (annc'd 01/17/12)
Paul G. Campbell, Jr.
Retired Alcoa exec./consultant
Aug. 2007
44 - Goose Creek
Berkeley
PERRY (annc'd 09/21/11)

George E. "Chip" Campsen, III
Businessman and Attorney
2005
43 - Charleston
Berkeley, Charleston
SANTORUM (annc'd 01/14/12)
+
Raymond E. Cleary, III
Dentist
2005
34- Murrells Inlet
Charleston, Georgetown, Horry


John E. Courson
Senior VP, Keenan & Suggs
1985
20 - Columbia
Lexington, Richland
HUNTSMAN (reported 04/18/11)

Ronnie W. Cromer
Pharmacist
April 2003
18 - Prosperity
Lexington, Newberry, Saluda
PERRY (annc'd 09/21/11)
Tom Davis
Attorney
2009
46 - Beaufort
Beaufort
PAUL (annc'd 01/15/12)
+
Michael L. Fair
Insurance
Nov. 1995
6 - Greenville
Greenville


Chauncey K. Gregory
President, Builders Supply Co.
April 2011 (prev. '93-'08)
16 - Lancaster
Lancaster, York
SANTORUM (annc'd 10/14/11)
+
Larry Grooms
Pres. and CEO of GTI
Nov. 1997
37
Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester
PERRY (annc'd 09/21/11)
Robert W. Hayes, Jr.
Attorney
Sept. 1991
15 - Rock Hill
York


Jake Knotts, Jr.
Retired Law Enforcement and Deputy Coroner
April 2002
23
Lexington


Hugh K. Leatherman, Sr.
Businessman
1981
31 - Florence
Florence


Larry A. Martin
Textiles, Alice Manufacturing Co.
1993
2 - Pickens
Pickens


Shane R. Martin
Engineer/Business Owner
2009
13 - Spartanburg
Greenville, Spartanburg, Union


A. Shane Massey
Attorney
Nov. 2007
25 - Edgefield
Aiken, Edgefield, McCormick, Saluda


Glenn F. McConnell
Attorney/Businessman
*Pres. Pro Tem
1981
41 - Charleston
Charleston


William H. O'Dell
CEO, O'Dell Corp., Inc.
1989
4 - Ware Shoals
Abbeville, Anderson, Greenwood


Harvey S. Peeler, Jr.
Senate Majority Leader
Dairyman/Businessman
1981
14 - Gaffney
Cherokee, Spartanburg, Union, York
PERRY (08/20/11 event)

Luke A. Rankin
Attorney
1993
33 - Myrtle Beach
Horry


Michael T. Rose
Businessman/Attorney
2009- (prev. '88-97)
38 - Summerville
Charleston,
Dorchester
PERRY (annc'd 09/21/11)
W. Greg Ryberg
CEO of REI, Inc.
1993
24 - Aiken
Aiken


Phillip W. Shoopman
Professional Engineer
2009
5 - Greer
Greenville


David L. Thomas
Attorney
1985
8 - Greenville
Greenville


Danny Verdin, III
Owner, Verdin's Farm & Garden Center
2001
9 - Laurens
Greenville, Laurens
PAUL (annc'd 01/17/12)







State Senator endorsements: 12
Bachmann
Huntsman
Paul
Perry
Santorum

Lee Bright
John Courson
Lee Bright
Kevin Bryant
Tom Davis
Danny Verdin
Paul Campbell, Jr.
Ronnie Cromer
Larry Grooms
Harvey Peeler, Jr.
Michael Rose
Chip Campsen III
Chauncey Gregory


House Republicans (76) +
Name Occupation
District - City/Town
County


Rita Allison (Mrs. William Ronald)
Director of Communication
36 - Lyman
Spartanburg


Todd K. Atwater
CEO, SC Medical Association
87 - Lexington
Lexington
PERRY (annc'd 09/21/11)
Nathan Ballentine
VP, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
71 - Chapin
Lexington, Richland
ROMNEY (05/21/11)

Bruce W. Bannister
Attorney
24 - Greenville
Greenville


Liston D. Barfield
Associated Realty
58 - Conway
Horry
PERRY (annc'd 09/21/11)
GINGRICH (annc'd 01/20/12)

Eric M. Bedingfield
Real Estate, Businessman
28 - Mauldin
Greenville
PERRY (annc'd 09/21/11)
Eric J. Bikas
Businessman, Restauranteur
26 - Easley
Greenville, Pickens
GINGRICH (annc'd 01/20/12)
Kenny Bingham
Civil Engineer, Owner
*Majority Leader
89 - Cayce
Lexington
GINGRICH (annc'd 01/02/12)

Don C. Bowen
Retired
8 - Anderson
Anderson, Oconee
ROMNEY (annc'd 01/17/12)

Joan B. Brady
Community Dev. and Consulting
78 - Columbia
Richland
GINGRICH (annc'd 01/20/12)
Doug Brannon
Attorney
38 - Landrum
Spartanburg
GINGRICH (annc'd 01/20/12)
Bill Chumley
Landscaping/Farmer
35 - Woodruff
Spartanburg
BACHMANN (annc'd 11/15/11)
+
Alan D. Clemmons
Real Estate Attorney/Businessman
107 - Myrtle Beach
Horry
PERRY (annc'd 09/21/11)
J. Derham Cole, Jr.
Attorney
32 - Spartanburg
Spartanburg


Dan Cooper
Vice President, Capstone Insurance
10 - Anderson
Anderson


Tom Corbin
Businessman
17 - Travelers Rest
Greenville


Kris Crawford
Physician
63 - Florence
Florence
GINGRICH (annc'd 01/20/12)
Bill Crosby
Retired-Meadwestvaco Corp.
117 - North Charleston
Berkeley, Charleston


Joseph S. Daning
Educator
92 - Goose Creek
Berkeley


Greg Delleney
Attorney
43 - Chester
Chester, York
SANTORUM (annc'd 01/12/12)

Tracy R. Edge
Managing Partner, Edge Holdings, LLC, VP.
104 - Myrtle Beach
Horry
GINGRICH (annc'd 01/20/12)
Shannon S. Erickson (Mrs. Kendall F.)
Teacher/Owner/Dir.
124 -
Beaufort


Mike Forrester
Economic Development
34 - Spartanburg
Spartanburg


Marion B. Frye
Self-employed
39 - Leesville
Lexington, Saluda
PERRY (annc'd 09/21/11)
Mike Gambrell
Self-employed, M&R Enterprises
7 - Honea Path
Abbeville, Anderson


Dan Hamilton
Businessman
20 - Taylors
Greenville
PERRY (annc'd 09/21/11)
Nelson L. Hardwick
Businessman/Engineer
106 - Surfside Beach
Horry


Robert W. Harrell, Jr.
Businessman
*Speaker of the House
114 - Charleston
Charleston, Dorchester
PERRY (annc'd 10/24/11)
GINGRICH (annc'd 01/19/12)

James H. Harrison
Attorney
75 - Columbia
Richland


George M. Hearn
Attorney/Businessman
105 - Conway
Horry


Phyllis Henderson
Businesswoman
21 - Greer
Greenville
ROMNEY (annc'd 11/15/11)
+
Bill Herbkersman
Eco-Developer/
Redeveloper
118 - Bluffton
Beaufort
SANTORUM (annc'd 10/14/11)
+
David R. Hiott
Owner, Hiott Printing Co.
4 - Pickens
Pickens
GINGRICH (annc'd 01/20/12)
Bill Hixon
Insurance and Real Estate
83 - North Augusta
Aiken, Edgefield
PERRY (annc'd 09/21/11)
GINGRICH (annc'd 01/20/12)

Jenny Anderson Horne (Mr. Marc F.)
Attorney
94 - Summerville
Charleston, Dorchester


Chip Huggins
Realtor
85 - Columbia
Lexington
ROMNEY (05/21/11)

Chip Limehouse, III
Commercial Real Estate Broker
110 - Charleston
Berkeley, Charleston
PERRY (annc'd 09/21/11)
Dwight A. Loftis
Insurance Agent
19 - Greenville
Greenville
GINGRICH (annc'd 01/20/12)
Deborah A. Long
Optometrist
45 - Indian Land
Lancaster, York
SANTORUM (09/15/11)
+
Phillip D. Lowe
Physical Therapist and Developer
60 - Florence
Florence, Sumter
PERRY (annc'd 09/21/11)
GINGRICH (annc'd 01/20/12)

Jay Lucas
Attorney
65 - Hartsville
Chesterfield, Darlington, Kershaw, Lancaster


Peter M. McCoy, Jr.
Attorney
115 - Charleston
Charleston
GINGRICH (annc'd 01/20/12)
James H. Merrill
Public Relations, Geechie Comms.
99 - Charleston
Berkeley, Charleston
GINGRICH (annc'd 01/20/12)
Dennis C. Moss
Ret. SC Highway Patrol
29 - Gaffney
Cherokee, Chester, York
GINGRICH (annc'd 01/20/12)
Steve Moss
Ret. Banker
30 - Blacksburg
Cherokee
SANTORUM (annc'd 01/20/11)

Chris Murphy
Attorney
98 - Summerville
Charleston, Dorchester
PERRY (annc'd 09/21/11)
Wendy K. Nanney
 (Mrs. Timothy Lee)

Credit Manager
22 - Greenville
Greenville
GINGRICH (annc'd 01/20/12)
Ralph W. Norman
Real Estate Developer
48 - Rock Hill
York
CAIN (from 10/07/11)
BACHMANN (annc'd 12/06/11)
ROMNEY (annc'd 01/17/12)

Phil Owens
Businessman
5 - Easley
Pickens
ROMNEY (annc'd 01/17/12)
Steve A. Parker
Businessman
37 - Boiling Springs
Spartanburg


Andy Patrick
CEO, Advance Point Global
123 - Hilton Head Island
Beaufort
PERRY (annc'd 09/21/11)
SANTORUM (annc'd 10/14/11)

Gene Pinson
Community Relations Dir.
13 - Greenwood
Greenwood
GINGRICH (annc'd 01/20/12)
Michael A. PItts
Ret. Greenville Police
14 - Laurens
Abbeville, Greenwood, Laurens


Tommy Pope
Attorney
47 - York
York


Joshua Putnam
Landscaping Supervisor
10 - Powdersville
Anderson
GINGRICH (annc'd 11/07/11)

Rick Quinn
Pres. Mail Market Strategies, Campaign Consultant
69 - Lexington
Lexington
GINGRICH (annc'd 01/20/12)
Kevin R. Ryan
Graduate Student
108 - Pawleys Island
Charleston, Georgetown


Bill Sandifer, III
Businessman
2 - Seneca
Oconee, Pickens
PERRY (annc'd 09/21/11)
J. Gary Simrill
Businessman, Carolina Motorworks
46 - Rock Hill
York
PERRY (annc'd 09/21/11)
B.R. Skelton
Real Estate
3 - Six Mile
Pickens


G. Murrell Smith, Jr.
Attorney
67 - Sumter
Sumter
ROMNEY (annc'd 01/14/12)

Garry R. Smith
Businessman
27 - Simpsonville
Greenville


J. Roland Smith
Ret. Rural Carrier/Minister/Businessman
84 - Warrenville
Aiken
GINGRICH (annc'd 01/20/12)
Mike Sottile
Indep. Insurance Agent
112 - Isle of Palms
Charleston
GINGRICH (annc'd 01/20/12)
L. Kit Spires
Pharmacist/Pharmacy Owner
96 - Pelion
Aiken, Lexington


Tommy M. Stringer
Pension Consultant/Businessman
18 - Greer
Greenville
PERRY (annc'd 09/21/11)
GINGRICH (annc'd 01/20/12)

Eddie Tallon, Sr.
Pres. The Tallon Group, Inc.
33 - Spartanburg
Cherokee, Spartanburg


Bill Taylor
Media Consultant
86 - Aiken
Aiken
PERRY (annc'd 09/21/11)
GINGRICH (annc'd 01/20/12)

Anne J. Thayer
Owner, Thayer Properties LLC
9 - Belton
Anderson


Mac Toole
Businessman
88 - West Columbia
Lexington


David Tribble
Financial Services Rep.
15 - Clinton
Laurens, Newberry


C. David Umphlett, Jr.
Ret. Utility Exec.
100 - Monks Corner
Berkeley


Thad T. Viers
Attorney
68 - Myrtle Beach
Horry


W. Brian White
Insurance Agent
6 - Anderson
Anderson


Bill Whitmire
Retired Educator, Owner S&W Farms
1 - Walhalla
Oconee


Mark N. Willis
Long Term Care Admin.
16 - Fountain Inn
Greenville, Laurens
PERRY (annc'd 09/21/11)
GINGRICH (annc'd 01/20/12)

Tom Young, Jr.
Attorney
81 - Aiken
Aiken



State Representative endorsements: 46

Bachmann
Cain
Gingrich
Perry
Romney
Santorum
Bill Chumley
Ralph Norman
Ralph Norman
Liston Barfield
Eric Bikas
Kenny Bingham
Joan Brady
Doug Brannon
Kris Crawford
Tracy Edge
David Hiott
Bill Hixon
Dwight Loftis
Phillip Lowe
Peter McCoy
Jim Merrill
Dennis Moss
Wendy Nanney
Gene Pinson
Josh Putnam
Rick Quinn
Roland Smith
Mike Sottile
Tommy Stringer
Bill Taylor
Mark Willis
Todd Atwater
Liston Barfield
Eric Bedingfield
Alan Clemmons
Marion Frye
Dan Hamilton
Robert Harrell
Bill Hixon
Chip Limehouse III
Phillip Lowe
Chris Murphy
Andy Patrick
Bill Sandifer, III
Gary Simrill
Tommy Stringer
Bill Taylor
Mark Willis
Nathan Ballentine
Don Bowen
Phyllis Henderson
Chip Huggins
?Ralph Norman
Phil Owens
Murrell Smith
Greg Delleney
Bill Herbkersman
Deborah A. Long
Steve Moss
Andy Patrick


Notes:
Apart from House Majority Leader Kenny Bingham (announced on Jan. 2), the Gingrich campaign didn't announce state legislative support until shortly before the primary.  Gingrich picked up some Perry legislative endorsers after the Texas governor exited the race, including Speaker of the House Robert Harrell and Reps. Liston Barfield, Bill Hixon, Phillip Lowe, Tommy Stringer, Bill Taylor, and Mark Willis.  The campaign announced a list of endorsements the day before the primary.  Gingrich finished with 23 state Representative endorsements, most of any candidate, but no state Senators.

On Sept. 21, 2011 Gov. Rick Perry announced endorsements of a total of 21 members of the General Assembly.  One of those members, Rep. Andy Patrick, switched to Santorum on Oct. 14, 2011. 

Prior to the Sept. 21 announcement by Gov. Perry there had been just a handful of Palmetto State endorsements.  According to a number of news reports, Sen. Jim DeMint urged his fellow Republicans to keep their powder dry until after his Labor Day forum.

A group seeking to draft Gov. Chris Christie, including Rep. Kris Crawford, held a news conference at the State House on June 15, 2011.

On Jan. 19, 2011 eleven legislators announced a Draft Pence effort (Pence subsequently announced he would not run): Representatives Eric Bedingfield, Kris Crawford, Phyllis Henderson, Dwight Loftis, Wendy Nanney, Ralph Norman and Gary Smith; and Senators Lee Bright, Kevin Bryant, Ronnie Cromer and Phillip Shoopman.


also look for endorsements from
members of South Carolina Republican Party Central Committee 
list as of late June 2011
Includes state chair (neutral), RNC members, vice chairs and officers, district chairs, county chairs and executive committee member from each
county.










State GOP State Chair Mr. Chad Connelly



State GOP RNC Mr. Glenn McCall



State GOP RNC Mrs. Cindy Costa



State GOP 1st VC Mrs. Lin Bennett



State GOP 2nd VC Mr. EJ Cousar



State GOP 3rd VC Mr. Adam Piper



State GOP 1st CD Chair Mr. Wayland Moody



State GOP 2nd CD Chair Mr. Tony Denny



State GOP 3rd CD Chair Mrs. Rosalind Neal



State GOP 4th CD Chair Mr. Robert Ryggs



State GOP 5th CD Chair Mr. Henry Eldridge



State GOP 6th CD Chair Mr. Tom Grimes



State GOP Secretary Mrs. Eaddy Willard



State GOP Treasurer Mr. Dan Herren



State GOP SCCR Mr. Will Sturm



State GOP SCFRW Ms. Betty Poe



State GOP SCYR Ms. Katie Welborn



Abbeville Chair Mr. Craig Gagnon



Abbeville Exec Comm Mrs. Janice McCord













Aiken Chair Mr. Dennis Saylor



Aiken Exec Comm Mr. KT Ruthven



Allendale Chair Mr. Hal Nichols



Allendale Exec Comm Mr. Ron Lanter



Anderson Chair Mr. Dan Harvell



Anderson Exec Comm Ms. Susan Aiken



Bamberg Chair Mr. Edwin Merwin



Bamberg Exec Comm Mr. Dan Luginbill



Barnwell Chair Mr. Ben Kinlaw



Barnwell Exec Comm Mr. Tom Ramsey



Beaufort Chair Mr. Jerry Hallman



Beaufort Exec Comm Mr. Jim Dickson



Berkeley Chair Hon. Tim Callanan



Berkeley Exec Comm Mr. Terry Hardesty



Calhoun Chair Mr. Larry Jordan



Calhoun Exec Comm Mr. Max Kaster



Charleston Chair Mrs. Lin Bennett



Charleston Exec Comm Mr. Lanneau Siegling



Cherokee Chair Mr. Steven Blanton



Cherokee Exec Comm Mr. Bruce Wilkins













Chester Chair Mr. Drew Johnson



Chester Exec Comm Mrs. Sandra Stroman



Chesterfield Chair Mr. Jack Parker



Chesterfield Exec Comm Mrs. Pat Wilkerson



Clarendon Chair Mr. Moye Graham



Clarendon Exec Comm Mr. Jerry Bingham



Colleton Chair Ms. Janis Blocker



Colleton Exec Comm Mr. Cal Griffin



Darlington Chair Mr. Le Flowers



Darlington Exec Comm Ms. Janet Elias



Dillon Chair Mrs. Myrna Garris



Dillon Exec Comm Mr. Joe Moffett



Dorchester Chair Ms. Carroll Duncan



Dorchester Exec Comm Mr. Jordan Bryngelson



Edgefield Chair Mr. Rodney Ashcraft



Edgefield Exec Comm Mr. Ralph McFarland



Fairfield County Chair Mr. Kevin Thomas



Fairfield Exec Comm Mr. Coy Richardson



Florence County Chair Mr. Bill Pickle



Florence Exec Comm Mr. Julian Young













Georgetown Chair Mr. Jim Jerow



Georgetown Exec Comm Mr. Glen O'Connell



Greenville Chair Ms. Betty Poe



Greenville Exec Comm Mr. Dan Herren



Greenwood Chair Mr. Buck Griffin



Greenwood Exec Comm Mr. JoAnn Burroughs



Hampton Chair Mr. Skeet Burris



Hampton Exec Comm Mrs. Gail Burris



Horry Chair Ms. Johnnie Bellamy



Horry Exec Comm Mr. Larry Richardson



Jasper Chair Mr. Duane Swygert



Jasper Exec Comm Mr. Joseph Arzillo



Kershaw Chair Mr. Chris Oviatt



Kershaw Exec Comm Mrs. Shelby Price



Lancaster Chair Ms. Sandy McGarry



Lancaster Exec Comm Mr. Donnie Jones



Laurens Chair Mr. Bobby Smith



Laurens Exec Comm Mr. Wendell Satterfield



Lee Chair Mr. Robert Peeples



Lee Exec Comm Mr. Sam Cerezo













Lexington Chair Mr. Rich Bolen



Lexington Exec Comm Mr. Tommy Plonk



Marion Chair Mr. Eric Fry



Marion Exec Comm Mr. Johnny Cox



Marlboro Chair Mr. Pat Coxe



Marlboro Exec Comm Ms. Teresa Hood



McCormick Chair Mrs. Ruth Obermeyer



McCormick Exec Comm Ms. Verna Clayton



Newberry Chair Mr. Chad Connelly



Newberry Exec Comm Ms. Martha Waller



Oconee Chair Mr. Eddie Adams



Oconee Exec Comm Mr. Phil Soper



Orangeburg Chair Mr. Jim Ulmer



Orangeburg Exec Comm Mr. Roy Lindsey



Pickens Chair Mr. Phillip Bowers



Pickens Exec Comm Mrs. Margaret Hendricks



Richland Chair Mr. Eric Davis



Richland Exec Comm Mrs. Lou Nolan



Saluda Chair Mr. Jerry Strawbridge



Saluda Exec Comm Ms. Brenda Bedenbaugh













Spartanburg Chair Ms. LaDonna Ryggs



Spartanburg Exec Comm Mr. Doug Cobb



Sumter Chair Mr. Tod Williams



Sumter Exec Comm Mr. Ashby Rhame



Union Chair Mr. Mike Fowler



Union Exec Comm Mr. Dale Robinson



Williamsburg Chair Mrs. Barbara Mishoe



Williamsburg Exec Comm Mrs. Ida Martin



York Chair Mr. Glenn McCall



York Exec Comm Mr. Mark Palmer